Tag: Young Adult Fantasy

Book Review: SKY IN THE DEEP by Adrienne Young (OwlCrate Book May 2018)

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“Sky in the Deep”

Sky and Sea #1

by Adrienne Young

Nikki’s Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary: On the battlefield, Eelyn sees her beloved brother, Iri but Iri has been dead for five years. As she races to catch up with him, her distraction causes her to be captured and taken prisoner by the Riki, the hated enemies of her people. Now a slave to the Riki, Eelyn must face some hard truths, including that her brother may not be who she thought he was and that her enemies may not be so different from herself.

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8 Superb things about SKY IN THE DEEP by Adrienne Young (OwlCrate Book May 2018)

(May Contain Spoilers)

1. Vikings

As far as my memory serves me, “Sky in the Deep” is the first novel I’ve read that revolves around the Vikings and it was amazing! I love many aspects of the Viking culture, especially their spirituality and religious views, as well as their art and aesthetics. While I don’t necessarily condone violence, I enjoy that Vikings were complete badasses especially in battle and that they had women warriors as well.

2. Battle Scenes

Being set in Viking times, “Sky in the Deep” offered some great battle scenes! In all honesty from books I expect battles to be mentioned in the past tense from characters or minimally narrated in the present. But with “Sky in the Deep” we get first person accounts of battle as Eelyn fights her enemies. The very 1st chapter opens with a battle scene, drawing us straight into the action and into the bloody violent world of the Vikings.

3. Reunited

Being a sister who absolutely loves her older brother, I couldn’t even imagine that amount of joy and emotion Eelyn experienced when she realized her brother was alive and seeing him for the first time after five years. While I wanted to punch Eelyn once her pigheadedness overshadowed her joy, it was this premise of Eelyn being reunited with her brother that really made me love “Sky in the Deep.”

4. Viking Knight

Fiske was my absolute favorite character in this book. He helps his mother and family in every possible way that he can. He is protective of his adopted brother Iri and both loves him and treats him like real family. He is also a badass warrior who is feared and respected amongst his clan. And then he also saves Eelyn a few times, even though she hates him. Fiske is basically a Viking knight!

5. Eelyn

An accomplished female warrior, Eelyn first appears to be rather dense and bullheaded in her ways, preferring violence and force over observation and thinking. Obviously a product of her upbringing and education, as we all are, Eelyn is extremely closed-minded and wholeheartedly believes that the Riki are vile and her enemies simply because they are Riki and she is Aska. In “Sky in the Deep” we see her progress from this barbaric thinking into realizing that they are not so different, to actually caring about and helping some of the Riki and then finally wanting to have the Riki and Aska living together in harmony. Wonderful character development and a beautiful lesson.

6. Frenemies

“Sky in the Deep” is about how our hatred for another group of people is often misplaced and wrong. We all share way more things in common than differences, we each experience pain, grief, love, happiness, etc. And while there may be “bad” people in every group, they do not represent the group as a whole. With the threat of annihilation, the Riki and Aska eventually realize this and the enemies team up to become frenemies.

7. Fiske and Eelyn

OMG! The tension between Fiske and Eelyn was absolutely delicious! The whole time I was reading “Sky in the Deep”, I was praying that they would get together and thankfully Young delivered. These two finally embraced their love and eventually got their happily ever after. Together, they permanently moved to Eelyn’s village where Fiske’s mother eventually joined them, Riki and Aska living side by side in peace.

8. The Girl the Sea Gave Back

While Eelyn’s story is finished, Adrienne Young takes us back to the Viking world in “The Girl the Sea Gave Back”, Book 2 of the Sky and Sea series.

As always, thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you so feel free to contact me or comment below. If you would like to support this blog and/or my paintings please become my patron.

Be Authentic. Be Unique. Be You.

Book Review: 7 Killer Things about KING OF FOOLS by Amanda Foody

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“King of Fools”

The Shadow Game #2

by Amanda Foody

Nikki’s Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary:  Enne and Levi have beaten the Shadow Game but are now involved in an even more dangerous game. As they each try to run their gangs and keep ahead of the rising violence within the City of Sin, they must also protect the secret of who Enne Salta really is. As the city closes in on them, Enne and Levi make a desperate gamble and team up with their rival gangs but now they don’t know who to trust and they come to find that the sinister legends of New Reynes may not be legends at all.

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7 Killer Things about KING OF FOOLS by Amanda Foody

(May Contain Spoilers)

1. Enne

Enne Salta is an enjoyable character throughout The Shadow Game series but especially in “King of Fools” as she learns more about herself and really comes into her own. Specifically I appreciate her unwillingness to apologize for being who she is and doing what is necessary to survive. I love the fact that she embraces her contradictions as she realizes that she can be beautiful, kind, and caring while also being bold, ruthless, and strong. And her all-girl gang is totally badass and I would love to join!

2. The Couples

Ever the hopeless romantic, “King of Fools” had 3 couples that I was rooting for and I was ecstatic when they each got together. I loved the chemistry between Levi and Enne, the tension between them as they tried to fight their feelings was palpable! And I was so happy when Jac and Sophia finally got together, they deserve to be happy. And while neither of these relationships went where I hoped they would, at least Tock and Lola are still together and in one piece.

3. Games

Levi and Enne were running so many different games throughout “King of Fools” but then there were other characters who had their own plans and agendas as well. “King of Fools” kept me on my toes simply from all the different games going on. You weren’t sure who was pulling what strings, if it would interfere with other characters’ plans, and what goal everyone had. And while some characters achieved their original goals, I’m no longer sure what their new agenda is and it’s making me a bit nervous.s not an “issue” in the Shadow Game world as it should be in our own.

4. Vianca Augustine

An incredibly sad, manipulative, and petty bitch, Vianca Augustine was a great villain especially since she was able to control both Levi and Enne, even forcing them to be at odds with each other, regardless of their feelings for one another. Thankfully this awful woman was killed by her own son, allowing Levi and Enne to escape her hold and Harrison to get his revenge. Victory dance!

5. So Many Questions!

The Shadow Game series has really kept me engaged because of all the mysteries! Who is Bryce Balfour really and what is his power that is similar to the power of the Shadow Game? How is he connected to the Shadow Game? Is he human or a living legend? What is the Phoenix Club and who is involved? What is the House of Shadows? So many questions and I need answers Foody!

6. The Ending

So many things happened at the end of “King of Fools”! Enne’s true identity has been revealed. Jac is dead, Levi hates Enne. Sophia wants access to the House of Shadows. Harrison allowed Jonas to die and is taking on new omertas. And who did Bryce mean when he said, “I now get to save someone else”? I’m hoping he means Jac but I have no idea what Bryce is up to.

7. Queen of Volts

Hopefully we will learn more about the House of Shadows, the Phoenix Club, and the Shadow Game in “Queen of Volts”, Book 3 of The Shadow Game series because we need answers! 

As always, thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you so feel free to contact me or comment below. If you would like to support this blog and/or my paintings please become my patron.

Be Authentic. Be Unique. Be You.

Book Review: ACE OF SHADES by Amanda Foody (Owlcrate Book April 2018)

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“Ace of Shades”

The Shadow Game #1

by Amanda Foody

Nikki’s Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary: Ordinary and well-behaved Enne Salta enters New Reynes, the City of Sin, in a desperate search for her mother. As she is swept up into the depraved lives of those that cheat, steal, and con, Enne comes to find that her mother may not be who she thinks she is and that her whole life is a lie. Teamed up with the notorious gang leader Levi, Enne and Levi make gamble after gamble trying to stay ahead of their enemies, until their time runs out and the deadly Shadow Game finds them.

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7 Amazing things about ACE OF SHADES by Amanda Foody (Owlcrate Book April 2018)

(May Contain Spoilers)

1. Six of Crows meets Caraval

Being set in a sinful city filled with gambling, gangs, and crime as well as elements of magic, “Ace of Shades” felt like a mix of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows series with Stephanie Garber’s Caraval series. As both these series are absolutely amazing and I loved them, “Ace of Shades” was an instant like for me!

2. Abilities

One of my favorite things about the Shadow Game world is that each person has an ability, a primary dominant one and a lesser secondary one. As someone who devoured comics growing up, with the Uncanny X-men being my all-time favorite, I really enjoy stories involving people with powers. In The Shadow Game series, a person’s primary ability is usually identifiable by their last name and abilities are passed down from parents to child.

3. Levi

Professional conman and gang leader, Levi Glaisyer is irresistible in looks, “with his dark brown skin, his calculating gaze and his signature coarse curls—bronze at the roots, but black at the ends, like a burnt-out match.” But more importantly, he is devastatingly charming and while he is arrogant and seriously egotistical, he cares deeply about those he considers his friends. This is also my first experience having a male bisexual MAIN character in a book, which was appreciated as well as that his sexuality was not an “issue” in the Shadow Game world as it should be in our own.

4. Enne

“Ace of Shades” really follows the coming of age story of Enne Salta. Not only do we see her struggle with the conflicting accounts of her mother, Lourdes, we see Enne grapple internally with what she wants to do versus what she thinks is the “proper” thing to do. As a girl who was brought up being taught etiquette to become a lady, Enne has stifled many parts of herself, including her sexuality and brilliant, ambitious mind. It is a pleasure to watch her blossom into a more confident, assertive woman as she navigates the City of Sin.

5. The Mysteries

Probably the most intriguing part of The Shadow Game series is the Shadow Game itself. I am so curious about who is involved with the Shadow Game, what the purpose of the Shadow Game is, what kind of magic it involves. I just have so many questions!

6. Sedric Torren

This asshole! While we don’t see much of Sedric Torren thankfully, the little we do see and hear about him is enough for me to want to kill him. There are not enough negative adjectives to describe this sleazy, disgusting, perverted pedophile. The reason he is on this list? He fucking dies and it makes me so happy to think about. While slow painful torment would have been more justifiable for his crimes, I will accept death as a fix to the overall problem that was Sedric Torren. Hope he rots in hell!

7. King of Fools

Thankfully with all the questions and concerns I have with Enne, Levi, and the Shadow Game, the series continues in “King of Fools”, Book 2 of The Shadow Game.

As always, thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you so feel free to contact me or comment below. If you would like to support this blog and/or my paintings please become my patron.

Be Authentic. Be Unique. Be You.

Book Review: 8 Impressive Things about IMAGINE ME by Tahereh Mafi

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“Imagine Me”

Shatter Me #6

by Tahereh Mafi

Nikki’s Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary: Ella Sommers and Juliette Ferrars are wiped from her mind and forgotten. In her place, a powerful soldier to The Reestablishment awakens and is fully loyal to Anderson. Juliette knows nothing of Warner, Kenji, or her life with Omega Point. But Warner will never give up on her. He is willing to take on his father and the other supreme commanders, the world itself if that’s what it takes. Warner will bring Juliette back, or die trying.

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8 Impressive Things about IMAGINE ME by Tahereh Mafi

(May Contain Spoilers)

1. Pacing

As with all the books in the Shatter Me series, “Imagine Me” had fantastic pacing. There was plenty of action and suspense that kept me apprehensive and engaged. I had a hard time putting the book down because I absolutely NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. “Imagine Me” also included opportunities for characters to grow and for readers to get to know them better.

2. Kenji

Kenji of course is a beloved character and “Imagine Me” really allowed him and Warner to bond in a way that they never had before. With their shared goal of wanting to save Juliette, regardless of the danger, they were able to find common ground and actually get to know one another without the interference of Juliette trying to force them together. It was essential for Warner to have another person in his life who cared about him beyond just Juliette.

3. Children of Monsters

One of the things that I really enjoyed about the Shatter Me series is that the children of the supreme commanders weren’t monstrous like their horrible parents. On the contrary, they were all victims of their parents in many ways. And they chose to be something different, regardless of what their parents wanted, which is never an easy feat.

4. Cycle of Abuse

While I could not truly give a shit about what Anderson had to endure in his life, the tiny glimpse we see of his upbringing clearly paints the picture of the cycle of abuse. His mother abused him, he abused his children, and his children definitely ended up with some issues. While none of this excuses any bad behavior, it shows how damaging even one abusive person is. Thankfully Adam and Warner were able to consciously decide they didn’t want to be like their father but they both have some serious emotional scars from the abuse they suffered.

5. Death All Around

Juliette ripping her mother’s heart out of her chest was so fucking satisfying, that woman was an absolute crazy bitch! And thankfully she wasn’t the only one to die. All the supreme commanders were dead by the end of “Imagine Me.” While they each deserved a much more slow, humiliating, and agonizing death for what they did to the world, I’m just happy that they are gone.

6. Warner and Juliette

Warner’s devotion and love for Juliette knows no bounds! Their shared history of falling in love over and over. Being there for each other when no one else in the world was. Showing kindness, compassion, understanding, and acceptance when their own parents were too cruel to. Juliette and Warner truly have an unbreakable bond that is absolutely heart wrenchingly beautiful!

7. Emmaline

Emmaline is finally at peace. Used and abused by her parents and in constant turmoil, Emmaline needed death to escape the agony of her life. And while it was sad that death was her only respite, she got to leave in the hands of her sister, loved, cherished, and taken out on her own terms. Bittersweet.

8. Happy Ending

I could cry from the happily ever after Juliette finally got with Warner in the end. I was extremely worried that he would lose his life in his quest to bring her back. These two characters have been through so much, I don’t think I could have handled them not being together at the end of the Shatter Me series. So I cannot express my gratitude to Mafi that she ended “Imagine Me” on a positive note with Warner and Juliette getting married and Juliette holding a puppy for the first time in her life with no fear of hurting it or those around her.

As always, thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you so feel free to contact me or comment below. If you would like to support this blog and/or my paintings please become my patron.

Be Authentic. Be Unique. Be You.

Book Review: 7 Dynamic Things about DEFY ME by Tahereh Mafi

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“Defy Me”

Shatter Me #5

by Tahereh Mafi

Nikki’s Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary: Juliette’s time as supreme commander of North America comes to a screeching halt. As she awakens in a place that is hauntingly familiar and yet forgotten, she comes to know the devastating reality of her past and how evil The Reestablishment truly is. Without Juliette and Warner, Kenji and the rest of the Omega Point gang are forced to trust the children of the other supreme commanders and hope they can get to Juliette and Warner before it’s too late.

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7 Dynamic Things about DEFY ME by Tahereh Mafi

(May Contain Spoilers)

1. The Past

I about lost it when I read about Warner and Juliette’s past! Over and over again they gravitated towards each other. Like finding your soulmate in every reincarnation, no matter how many times their memories were wiped, Warner and Juliette always developed a strong attachment. They were meant for each other and it’s so beautiful.

2. Kenji

Kenji is probably one of the best supporting characters in a book series, ever! The ridiculousness that comes out of his mouth makes him hilarious but his overall loyalty, kindness, and bravery make him an outstanding character. “Defy Me” includes chapters from his point of view which I loved but more importantly, another character sees the worth in him romantically and he finally has a girlfriend of sorts. The man deserves some happiness and romance.

3. The Reestablishment

Just when I thought The Reestablishment couldn’t get more sinister, Mafi had to introduce the twisted parents of Juliette. Ugh, they suck so much! Regardless, the twist that the desolate, destroyed world is actually a worldwide illusion was pretty clever. And of course, as Emma is dying, The Reestablishment plans to use Juliette’s powers to destroy the world for real.

4. Emma

Being Juliette’s long lost sister, it makes total sense that Emma is immensely powerful and just as rebellious. And although her life has been nothing but tragic and painful, I’m glad that she is still a good person regardless of the trauma she has been through. I was happy that she could distinguish who her enemies were and that she did not punish Juliette out of jealousy for having an actual life. Emma realized that Juliette is her salvation and working together they can take down The Reestablishment.

5. Anderson

While I am no way really happy that this terrible man is alive, I am impressed. The fucker has a healing factor now and is therefore really incredibly hard to kill. I suggest beheading and hope Warner or Adam get the honor of killing him for good!

6. Celebrations

“Defy Me” had some serious heartwarming moments, one being the celebration of Warner’s birthday. Having the whole gang come together to make better birthday memories for Warner and to show him that he was included and that he was cared about and loved was beyond heartwarming. Another beautiful moment was obviously the engagement of Juliette and Warner. And I’m so glad Warner didn’t listen to Kenji for once! While many girls would enjoy a man making a huge show when they propose, I couldn’t imagine Juliette wanting that or needing it, which totally makes sense to me. My own husband, who I’ve been happily married to for almost 5 years, asked me out of the blue one day at home. No ring, no extravagant dinner, no public displays, just asked me to marry him and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

7. Imagine Me

Juliette and Warner’s story continues in Book 6 of the Shatter Me series, “Imagine Me” and I’m hoping it will end with a happily ever after wedding ceremony. Is it bad that I’m really concerned that one of them is going to heartbreakingly die in order to save the other? Like this is a legitimate concern. So apprehensive to read “Imagine Me” but I must satisfy my curiosity!

As always, thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you so feel free to contact me or comment below. If you would like to support this blog and/or my paintings please become my patron.

Be Authentic. Be Unique. Be You.